New boys and lots of noise decide it
THERE was a real sense of optimism around the Proact Stadium before this relegation sixpointer, with new Spireites boss Gary Caldwell making five new signings in the January transfer window.
New faces and ex-Manchester United youngsters Liam Grimshaw and Sadiq El Fitouri came straight into the starting XI alongside David Faupala, who joined onloan from Manchester City on deadline day.
A game of very few chances was bizarrely swung in favour of the hosts at the half-time interval, Latics’ centre-back Anthony Gerrard picked up a second booking in the tunnel and didn’t reappear for the second half.
But Oldham dug in deep despite being a man down and captain Peter Clarke’s last-gasp winner sparked jubilant scenes in the away end.
The travelling fans were in superb voice all afternoon and no doubt played a huge part in Oldham snatching victory.
“I tell you what, the supporters were unbelievable,” said Latics’ manager John Sheridan.
“I thought there was about 6,000 of them there, they drove us on when we were under the cosh.
“I thought it was an absolute quality performance, when you get a man sent off with 45 minutes to go you sometimes fear the worst, but the lads didn’t half stick to the game plan.
“I’m proud of my players for the way they went about the game. Clarkey is probably the only one who would’ve scored that goal.
“I was never really worried about conceding but sometimes when you’re deep in your own half you have to catch them on the break.”
Spireites manager Caldwell, who is yet to see his club score a goal since taking over on January 17, has urged his players to start expressing themselves.
He said: “We need to be more creative, we need to take the handbrake off a few players.
“The confidence and the free-flowing football isn’t there yet but I can’t fault the players for their efforts.
“Football is in both boxes and they were hungrier than us in both boxes. I said to the players I hope they’re hurting because we need to stand up and be counted.
“It was hard to pick my starting XI. Every time you get the opportunity to play you have to take it. We’ve got strength in depth in the squad now and I have the ability to change things, so the players have to grasp that opportunity as they might not get another one.”